Thread-controlling mechanism for sewing-machines.



. R. e. woonwmw.

' THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

AP PLICATIOIN FILED MAR- 28, l907 Patented June 15, 1915.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

anuantoz zawzzwwwf Wituemw R. e. WOODWARD. l .THREAD CONTROLLIN GMECHANISM SEWING MACHINES.

APPucimou FILED MAR. 28. 1901. v v I Patented June 15, 1915.

7 SHEETSTSHEET 2.

anucufoz R. (a. WOODWARD. I THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES.

APIPLICAT ION FILED MAR. 28, I907.

Patented June 15,1915. 7

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

[ n ucul'or N is} Q {in zoom attovmngs R. e. woonwmw. THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR' SEWING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, I907- 1,143,010, Patented June 15, 1915.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

IIIIIIIII M atto'omugS R. e. WOODWARD THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR SEWING MACHINES, I I APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. I90 1,143,010 Patented June 15, 1915;

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

wihwooao I I V I Mam APPL'ICATION FILED MAR. 28. 1907- Patented June 15, 1915.

7SHEETS-SHEET 7- I Z/Vi tn woes Iran s'rnrns BATENT curios.-

RUSSEL ofwoonwAnn, or wan 'nGAN, ILLINOIS, assrenoa To UNION SPECIAL MACHINE colyr'r'any, orcmcaeo. rumors. n CORPORATION 017 ILLINOIS.

THREAD-CONTROLLING- MECHANISM FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 15, 1915.

Application filed March 28,- 1907. Serial Nb. 364,993.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,.RUssEL. G. WoonWAnD, a citizen of the United States, res ding at lVaukegan, in the county of Lake, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Thread- Controlling Mechanisms for Sewing-Machines, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

improvements in thread controlling mechanisms for sewing machines, and while said mechanism is more especially adapted for chain stitch sewing machines operating upon leather and other heavy-materials, it

is apparent that said mechanism may be' used-in connection with other types of machines where it is desired to automatically control the supply of thread for the stitching mechanism and also to automatically control the formation of the stitch.

An object of my vinvention is toprovide mechanism for pulling thread from the sup ply, which shall be automatically controlled in its operation so as to draw from the supplyvarying amounts of thread in accordance with the thickness of material operated upon. v

A further object of my invention is to provide mechanism for drawing up the loops of needle thread underneath the material which shall be automatically controlled so as to draw the loop to a definite position relative to the under surface of the material regardless of the thickness of the material operated upon. 4

A further object of my invention is to combine automatic mechanism for pulling various lengths of threads from the'supp'ly so as to automatically control the supply of thread for different thicknesses of material with automatic mechanism for controlling the needle thread underneathjthe material so that the position of the needle loop when the stitch is set, may be thesame regardless of the thickness of the material.

These and other objects of my invention Will in part. be obvious'a-nd Will-in part be more fully described hereinafter.

-M y invention consists in the novel parts, arrangements and.improvement s hereinafter shown and described.

. thread- "In the accompanying drawings which show one embodiment of the preferred form of my invention :Figure l is a front side elevation showing a. sewing machine with needles in their extreme lower positions. My invention relates to new and useful F ig. 6 is a side elevation of the upper front end portion of the machine with certain parts broken away in order to show more clearly the thread controlling mechanism. Fig. 7 is a detail separated perspective view of a portion of the mechanism operated by the presser bar for controlling the position of the thread guides for different thicknesses of material. V Fig. 8 is'a detailview in front elevation of the pull offmechanism showingin dotted lines the movement of the thread guide for diiferent thicknesses of material. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective-view of the pulling arm viewed from therear side.

In the drawings the base plate'l has extendingtherefrom a cylindrical work sup-- port 2, although it is apparent that any other form of work support may be substituted for that herein shown, without departingfrom the spirit of my invention. Located within the work support 2, is a feeding mechanism for moving the material which carries the usual feed dogs 3, 3 pperating through slots in the-forward end of the work support. Said work support has the front portion tfthereof hingedas at 5,

so that the 'same may be turned ,down for the purpose of iving access to the looper in threading. -This member l is held in its closed position or in its open position-by eneans of a spring 6shown in Figs. 1. and 2.

"The top portion of the work support 7 may be detachable so as to give access to the operating parts within the work support. This detachable portion 7 is held in place by a pivoted catch 8. v

The loopers 9, 9 shown in Figs. 1 and 5 are of the usual thread carrying type, and are mounted for oscillation within the forward end of the work support. 'It is obvious that any other form of thread carrying looper may be used in connection with my bar is shown as provided with three needles 1 1, 15 and 16. The needles 14 and 15 are arranged substantially in line and at right anglcs with the line of feed while the needle 16 is arranged slightly in rear of the other needles. The forward looper as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 cooperates with both of the needles 14 and 15, while the rear looper shown in theseviews coiiperates with the needle 16. Each needle is provided with a separate thread and my improved thread means of screws 25, 25.

controlling mechanism operates independently upon each thread. It will be apparent therefore, that said improved thread controlling mechanism is adapted for use in connection with a single needle machine and for the sake of clearness in the further description of my improvement a single needle and looper will be referred to, it being understood that any number of needles may be used instead of said single needle.

The needle .bar receives its reciprocation from the ne'edlelever 17 which is pivoted at 18 upon the overhanging arm and. receives its oscillation from an eccentric 19, upon the main shaft 20, through a link 21,. The link '21 has a ball stud connection 22 with the needle lever 17. The forward end of the needle lever17 is connected to the needle bar by a link 23 and a lug 24, which is adjustably connected to the needle bar by The needle lever 17 is provided with the usual needle lever extension 27, with which is connected a link 28, for oscillating the loopers 9.

Cooperating with the work support 2 and the feed dogs 3 is a presser foot 29. Said presser foot 29 is carried by thepresser bar 30 which may be reciprocated in suitable bearings 31 carried by the overhanging arm 10 of the machine. Mounted on said presser bar, is a collar 33 which is provided with a stud 34, against the-upper surface of which a leaf spring 35 carried by the overhanging arm 10, bears. The purpose of this spring is to hold the presser foot firmly upon the material passing through the machine.

Said presser foot is provided with suitable needle openings for the passage of the needles.

As one means for lifting the presser bar, I have provided a lever 36 pivoted at 37 to the lug 32. Said lever 36 has a camsurface 38 which may be brought into contact with a pin 39 carried bythe presser bar 30. Said lever has a slight depression-or seat 40, re- 'ceiving the pin 39 so that when said lever is turned to lift the presser bar the pin will drop into said seatand the presser bar retained in its raised position. In order to guide the'presser bar in its movements and to prevent the lateral movements of the foot,

I have provided a guide rod 11 which reciprocates in lugs 42, 43,- and has a collar 4-1 carrying a stud 45 which passes through the presser bar 30 and is held.therein by a set screw 46. As an additional means for raising the presser foot, I have provided a lever 47 shown in Figs. 2'and-3. Said lever is pivoted at 18 to the overhanging arm 10' and has its forward end deflected downwardly and inwardly underneath the stud 34. The

rear portion of the lever. 47 is provided with an arm 49 which is suitably connected to a' k needle lever or foot treadle, whereby said lever may be operated to raise the presser.

bar. A suitable spring 50 connected to a lug 51 on the lever -17 and to a pin 52 on the head of the machine, serves to depress the forward end of the lever and to normally hold the same out of contact with the stud'34. r

I have alsoflprovided my machine with an auxiliary presser roller 53, which is p1vl otally supported at the lower end of an arm 54: carried by a bracket 55 secured to the presser bar 30 by screws 56, 56 as best shown in Fig. 6. Said arm 5-1 is pivotally connect ed to a supporting plate 57 which is adjustably connected to the bracket 55 by means of screws and slots 58, 59. The arm 5st is held in its normal position adjacent the presser foot by means of a spring 60. It will be noted that the auxiliary roller presserfoot being carried by the presser bar is raised and derneath said rod are held in contact with the oil pad 65. At the front sideof the oil box is a plate 67 mounted on a stud 68.. Said plate 67 is yieldingly held against a stripper pad by means of a spring 69.

After the needle threads leave 70and then through suitable tension disks 71. Said tension disks are mounted, upon the oil box, the same pass through suitable thread guides studs 72 and are yieldingly held in contact by a spring 73.

After the threads leave the tension disks 7 O, the same pass through my improved pull off mechanism. Said mechanism consists of were? 4 rm 4 sui ble; sr 75, {.75. to the nee hlerer Sai rm'ex endsup wardly from the needie lever and has 2.; latlyfi nding n onw ify egw th engagmg' finger 7-6 as shown =more clearly -m' .r; .;9 of the drawing. Saidfinger '76 ex nd bu wa d E m th ar 7 d i r bent laterally substantially parallel with the arm. in order to. provide means for retaining the; thread or threadsuponsaid e11 v v bracket 77-oarried bythe' head of the machine extends'ilpward to a .zposition adjacenttheoutenend of the .arm74 and is provided with suitable thread guiding rolls which coiiperate with the thread finger carried by the arm 74. -Said bracket"77 is pro.-

I i vided 'with'a threadguiding roll 78 near. its

base and at its upperlend. is provided with another thread roll'79: Pivoted to thenpper end ofthe-braeket 77 is ayoke 80..-which extends along each side of the bracket .77 and is connected, to said bracket by a pivoted rod 8l;. extending-throngh an opening 82 in the bracket and corresponding openings 83 in --th e yoke. Said pivot rod is held place by means of a suitable set screw 84:.7 Both of the members of said yoke 80 are slotted as at 84, 84 and the guide roll 79 secured in the'opening of the bracket 78,. projects through the forward slot intheyokeas shown in Eigsl, 6 and 8.

ltvvill be noted that thejslot s4 is {curved about'the pivot of the-yoke as a center so that said yoke iscapable ,(if limited oscillak tion uponj-its pivot. Projecting cfrofn the upper end of the yoke 80is a thread roll 86 relative to the thrcad arm 74fthat the thread which is secured to theyoke means of a:

set screw 87. .1.

The thread rolls 79 aziid86 are so located finger, as the same oscillatesback and forth I ,with the needle lever moves in a path between the said thread rolls 79 and 86.

The thread after leaving the tension disks passes around j the thread rol "78"a nd then .over the thread rolls 79 and 8 5. Said thread asshown in Figs/1, '6, and 8 passes to the thread finger is oscillated to the right of the a left of the thread rolls 79 and 86.-and to the rightof the thread finger 76' so that as the f-t'hreaoh rolls 79 and 86. the thread will be .upon the thread results;

engaged by said finger and a certain pull pull of the-thread finger on the thread and the amount of thread pulled from the. supply by this movement depends upon the distance said finger movesto the right ofthese a The amount of and the -thread passing. over saidthread fingemeao the e ght of the-threadroll 86 roll 86 and "thread IOHZ'79 may be in- I creased or decreased and'thu's the amount of; thread pulled ifrom the supply correspondingly increases or; decreases. "If the thread. roll 86 be moved from the position shown f in 'giFig. 6 'to that shown inJ-Figs. 1 and 8, it is obvioi s that the amount of thread pulled oftby the.='thread finger 76 will be decreased a'sthe movement .of said finger 76430 thegright of the thread "roll86 which is the thread'dra fiifig'inove mentof said finger is less. It will-be obvious that if the position of the yoke be "shifted as the thickness of the material vari'es the amount of thread. drawn-from the V supply may be made to correspond with the thickness of the material.

Asa means for shifting the'yoke 80 by varying thicknessesbf the material, I have connected said yoke to the presser bar so that as the presser bar is raised or lowered,

asthe material increasess or decreases in thicknessrpassing. under the presser foot,

said yoke will be shifted and the distance which said yoke is shifted will be determined by the thickness of the material. This means consists of a link 87 which is plvoted at 88 to the yoke 80 and at its op-.

.posite end at 89 to a rock lever 90; Said rock lever 90 is provided with spaced arms 91, 91 which are pivotally connected to a bracket 92 by means of a pivot stud 93.

Said bracket 92 is secured by suitable screws to the head of the machine. The'rock lever 90 has an extended lip 94: which extends over the presser bar 30 and normally rests on the upper end thereof. Said rock lever hasalso connected thereto a depending arm 95 which is connected thereto by a stud 96 passing through said arm and engaging an opening 97 in the rock lever. Said-jarm 95 is provided at its lower end with aslot 98,

which engagestlie outer end of the stud 34 carried by the collar 33 on the presser bar 30. The outer end of said'stud is slightly enlarged as at 99 and a suitable'screw 100 passing through the slot 98 engages said enlarged end of the stud 34. This slotted connection between the arm 95 and the stud 3%.serves as a suitable guide for the arin 95 andholds the same substantially'in a Vertical position. Said arm 95 is provided with a projecting pin 101 which extends -.inwardly substantially parallel with the stud 34, Bearing upon the pin 101 is a leaf spring 1102 which is secured to the overhanging armof the machine'lO inany suitable manner. v The. leaf springs 35 and 102 are con-.

nected to the same lug on the overhanging arm and are in contact for a short distance from their point of support. 102, is then deflecetd upwardly and'slightly spaced-from the spring 35. An adjusting The spring springs.

a thread guide 106 on the needle lever. Said thread clamp 105 comprises a clamping drew 103 passing through a lug on the overhanging arm contacts-with the springs 35, and 102 .and serves as a means for increasing or decreasing the tension on said The spring 102 is somewhat lighter than the spring 35. The primary object of the spring 102 is to retain the projecting lip 94 of the rock shaft 90 in contact with the upper end ofthe presser bar and the yoke carrying the thread roll 86 in its forward position. It will be noted that this spring 102 also serves as an auxiliary spring in holding the presser foot upon the work sup-- 15. P i

ort. I I The operation ofmy improved mechanism for positioning the yoke 80 relative to the thread pulling finger "will be'obvious. When the material underneath the presser foot increases in thickness the presser 'bar is and through the link 87 oscillating the yoke 80 upon its'pivot, while on the other hand v if the thickness of the material decreases,

the springs and 102 lower the presserbar and move the rock lever in the opposite direction. This movement of the rock lever throug'hthe link 87 moves the yoke'80 and the thread roll carried thereby in the oppothe'yoke 80 for any given position ofthe presser foot may be varied, I have provided the link 87 with right and left hand threads so that by turning said link one way, or the other the position. of the yoke relative to the rock lever -90 may be varied.

After the needle thread passes over'thfe thread roll 86, said thread passes under a threadroll .104 on the arm of the machineand \thence through the thread clamp 105 to .plate which is secured to the arm of the machine and ayielding clamping finger 107, which is rigidly secured to the plate and has its free end extending downwardly over the clamp plate. Said spring finger is held from lateral movement by pins 108 and 109 caroutwardly each side of the clamping finger. The clamping finger is so shaped as to normally be held away from the supporting plate by the spring action of the said finger. Said clamping finger is brought into contact with the supporting plate to clamp the needle thread by means of a lug 110 which is adjustably secured to theneedle lever by a screw 111,' passing through a slot 112 in said plate. Asthe needle-lever oscillates,

the lug 110 is brought into clamping contact with the clamping finger 107- on the down-' ward movement of the lever and as said lever moves upwardly, the lug is withdrawn from contact with said finger." By this 6'5'means an intermittent clamping of .the-

underneath the presser foot varies.

raised, thus oscillating the rock lever 90 site direction. In order that the position of ried by the supporting'plate and extending thread is secured. adjusting the lug1 10 the time when the same contacts with clamping finger 107 is varied, and thereby the time of o eration of the thread clamp variedy.

A terthe thread leaves the thread guide 106, carried by the needle bar, said thread passes through a thread guide 113 carried by anal-m 11 1, pivoted at 116 to the overhanglng arm ofthe machine. Said arm 114: extends beyond its pivot 116 and is provided with a toothed segment117. The collar 33 on the presser bar 30 is provided with a bracket 118 which extends outwardly and carries a rack 119 which meshes with the toothed segment on the thread arm 114.. It will be noted that the thread guide 113.be-

ing connected to the presser bar will move upand down" relative to the thread guide a 113, andas the thread guide 106 moves downward, the thread being gripped by the thread clamp 105, said thread guide 106 will take up the slack in the thread and exert a certain pull, thereon. The amount of slack which will be taken up by the thread guide 106 is determined by the distance whichsaid guide moves below a line passing 100' 'through the threadguide 113 and over the thread roll 10 1. It, therefore, the thread I guide 113 is lowered by the increase in thick- I mess. of the material passing under thepresser foot, the amount of slack taken no by the thread guide 106 will be less; and, on

the other hand, whensaid thread guide 113 is raised by a decrease in the thickness of the material passing underneath the presser foot, the amount of slack taken up by the thread guide 106 will be greater. The thread after it leaves the thread guide 113, passes between the. thread finger 120, and the thread roll 121 tothe thread guide 122 at the upper end of the needle bar, and thence down along the front of the machine, underneath the thread finger 123 to the needle.

As the nee'dle 'bar moves downward, the thread is brought intogcontact with, the thread finger 120, and as' the needle bar moves upward, the thread is brought into contact with the thread roll 121.

It will be noted from Fig. 1, that the thread guide 113 is so adjusted-that when the machine is operating-upon thin layers of fabric, the guide 106 in'its upward movement does not move above a line passing through'said thread guide 113, and over the thread roller 104. That is to -say,'the movements of the thread guide 106 are entirely take up and slack-giving movements; When, however, the fabric passing beneath the presser foot increases in thickness, the presser foot is lifted, and the guide 1155 lowered, so that t guide 100 moves to a position above the guide 113, and this movement'of the. guide 106 above a line passing through the thread guide 113 and over the roller 1, serves as a pull-off movement, supplementing th pull-ofi' movement of the needle ha r as it reaches the end of its upward stroke. It will be seen thatthis sup' plementalpull ofl'movement, together with the pull-off movement of the needle bar, constitute means'for pulling varying amounts of thread from the supply, according to the thickness of the fabric operated upon. This main pull-ofl means which is automatically controlled by the position of the presser foot, is entirel independent of the threadpulling finger i6, which in a sense is a supplemental pull-off member.

The thread finger 76, when the machine is operating upon a single thickness of material, is so positione rolls 79 and 86, that/little or no thread is pulled" from the supply. When, liowever, the thickness of fabric increases the thread roll 86 will be moved to the left, as shown in Fig. 1, and a certain amount of thread pulled from the supply. When this thread finger 76 isoperating to'pull thread, as

above noted, the thread clamp 107 is closed, so that said thread finger will not steal.

thread from the needle. The sole object of this supplemental pull-ofl" is to pull 01f a certain amount of thread which is supplied to the needle at or about the time the eye of the needle is part way through the material on its upward stroke, thus giving to the needle'a slight amount of extra thread which will allow the eye ofthe needle to be raised entirelyabove' the'surface of the material before the setting of the stitch.

In operating upon leather and similar materials, it is very essential toso control the thread that the stitch may be set after the eye of the needle is clear of the material,.'for when the eye of the needle is in the material, or beneath the same, considarable resistance to the setting of the stitch is caused by the friction of the thread, which is crowded against the material;

The operation of the various parts of my machine is. as follows,. when operating lpon a single thickness of fabric: Starting with the needle bar at its extreme upper position, as shown in Fig. 1, and the needle ;hr ead is at this time taut, as the needle bar s pulling thread from the supply, when it reaches the upper end of its stroke. As the ieedle bar moves downward, the thread guide 12% is moved toward the threadroll L21, and the thread is, therefore, immedi-' relative to the threadately'released from" all strain and allowed 1 to remain entirely slack. Lhe thread guide 106, however, is moved away from the thread guide'113', and a portion of the slack in the thread is taken up by this movement.

A portion of the slack given to'the thread is also taken up by the feedingofthe-mate- I? rial. At or about the'time the. eye of the needle reaches the fabric, the lug 110 on the needle lever engages the thread clamp, and closes the same, thereby tightly gripping the-thread in the thread clamp, from this time until the needle is again in the same position on its upward stroke. After'"the needle has well entered the loop of thread carried by the looper, the loop of needle thread ofthe previous stitch which surbackward movement of said looper. The slack in the thread given up by the downward movement of the needle bar, has now bBBIH'GIItiIBly' takenup. The needle-afterv the needle into and beneath the material, is

taken from the slack given up by the nee dle bar in its downward mo ement, but at about the, time the loop is shed from the looper as above noted, the slack given up by the needle bar has been consumed, and the further movement of the needle downward draws up the previous needle loop close to the under side of the material, where it will be entirely out of the way of the movements of the looper, and also be positioned properly for the final setting. As the needle rises, the thread again is released of all strain, and the needle throws out its loop for the entrance of the looper. After the looper has entered the needle-loop, the

- rounded the looper is shed therefrom by the movement of the thread guide 106, and. first draws the previous stitch tight, and then draws thread from the supply for the next stitch. I

The thread guide 113 is so adjusted that in the movements of the parts above stated. when operating upon a single thickness of material, that the eye of the needle is on top of the material when the stitch setting pull of the needle bar occurs. When the eye of the needle reaches the position just referred to, the thread clamp 107 is released,

and the slack drawn up by the thread finger 76, (if any be drawn when-working on a single'thickness of fabric,') .is given up at this point. 7 This slack igiven up to the needle should be just su cient to allow the eye of the needle to reach the upper surface of the material when the stitch-setting pull occurs.

Let us suppose the machine now to be operating upon a plurality of thicknesses of fabric. throwing the thread guide 113 downward to a position shown in Fig. 6, and the move-- ments of the thread guide 106 now extend upward beyond the thread guide 113, The 'presser foot also by its raised position shifts the thread roll 86 so that an increased amount of thread is drawn from the supply by the thread finger 76. This increase in the thickness of the material, of course, consumes a greateramount of thread in forming the stitches. As the needle bar descends,

the eye thereof will reach the surface of the material sooner, when operating upon a plurality of thicknesses of material, than when operating upon a single thickness, and, likewise the eye of the needle will leave the material later than when operating upon a single thickness of material. In order that sufficient thread may be given to the needle, so that the same may move to the extreme lower position, the movement of the thread finger 113 downward by the increase in thickness of material under-the presser foot, causes thethread guide 106 totake up less slack as the movements of the thread guide 106 below the thread guide 113 is a less distance. This extra slack given up to the needle allows the same to move to the-full depth of stroke without cutting through the thread. The-position ofthe thread guide 113 varies, of course, for the different thicknesses of material, and consequently the amount of slack thread given up by vthe thread guide 113 correspondingly varies.

This thread guide 113 maybe said to con- 'trol the thread beneath the material.

As the needle 'rises, the thread is drawn into contact with the'thread roll 121, and the thread is drawn taut. With the, thread guides adjusted normally for operating upon a single thickness'of fabric or mate rial, the thread would be drawn taut, and the needle bar begin its pull upon the thread to set the stitch at or about the timethe eye of the needle reaches the surface of the first or lower layer of material, and when, there are a pluralityof layers, while the eye is still in the material. Thethrad clamp is,

- however, opened at or about the time the eye of the needle is partially through the material, and the slack thread which has been drawn off-by the thread finger 76 is The presser foot is lifted, thusthe sole purpose of this auxiliary pull-off or thread finger 76 is to supply thread to the needle, so as to allow the eye thereof to reach the upper surface of the material before the thread would be placed under sufficient strain to set the stitch. The movement of the thread guide 113 downward, so that the thread guide106 moves above the same, providesan automatic meansfor pulling an extra amount of thread from the supply, which is necessary for forming the 113 and the thread roller 86, will assume the proper position, so that, the necessary amount of thread is supplied for the forma- "tion of the stitch only, and'the necessary amount of thread for the movements of the needle beneath the material is also sup- 7 plied. This control of the needle thread is extremely important, when operating upon leather or other materials which are inelastie, and inwhich itiis desired to make a tight stitch. The parts may be adjusted so as to make a tight stitch upon a single thickness of the material, and without other adjustment the machine will automatically. adapt itself for-any number of thicknesses making a stitch which is practically of the same degree of tightness.

It is obvious that many minor changesin the details of construction,- and the arrangement of, parts, may be made, without vdeparting from the spirit of my invention. Havingthus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A sewing machine including in combination, an eye-pointed needle, a loop-taker cooperating therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply,v and separate posi- 1 tively actuated means for controlling the,

.needle loop beneath the material, saidme'ans including devices for'varying the amount of thread givento the needle for forming the needle loop beneath tlfe material according tothe thickness of the-materials 2. A sewing machine including in combination, an eye-pointed needle, a loop-taker cooperating therewith, means for automatigiven up to the needle, and allows the eye thereofto be placed ohgto'p of the material before the thread is drawn taut to set the stitch. It will be evident, therefore, that cally pulling varying amounts of thread from the supply corresponding to varying thicknesses of material operated upon, and

separate means for controlling the needle loop beneath the material, said last named means including positively actuated devices for automatically varying the amount of thread given tothe needle for forming the needle 100p beneath the material according to the thickness of the material.

' 3. A sewing machine including in combi-,

nation, an eye-pointed needle, a loop-taker cooperating therewith, means for. pulling thread fromthe supply, and separate means I for controlling the needle loop beneath the terialaccording to the thickness of the ma- I terial, and an auxiliary means for material, said last'named' means including positively actuated devices for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for forming the needle loop beneath the mathe thread from the supply.

4. A se ing machine, including in combi-- nation a needle, :a loop taker coiiperating therewith, "automatic means for pulling thread from the supplyit'or varying thicknesses of material, meansfor controlling the needle threadloo'p beneath the material,

' and auxiliary means for, pulling thread from the supply during the downward movement of the needle; substantially as described .J'

'5.4-A sewing machineincluding in combination, an eye-pointed needle, a loop-taker cotiperating therewith, meansfor automatically pulling varying amounts of thr d from the supply corresponding to varyi g thicknesses of material goperated upon,

meansifor controlling the needle loop beneath the material, said means including devices 7 for automatically var-ym'g the amount of thread given to the needle forforming the .needle loop beneath the material according to the thickness of the material, and a thread clamp for clamping the thread substantially while the needle eye is beneath the material.

6. A sewing machine including in combination, a needle, a looptaker cqijperatmg therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply, means for drawing up the needle loops beneath the material on the down stroke of the needle, and automatic means for controlling said last named means for varying thicknesses of material, and automatic means for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for forming the needle loop. beneath the material according to the thickness of the material.

7. A sewing machine, including in combination a needle, a looptaker cooperating,

therewith, means for. pulling'thread from the supply, (automatic means for controlling the amount of thread pulled from the supply for varying thicknesses of material, and means for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for forming the'needle loop beneath the material, according to the thickness of the material, and automaticmeans for supplying the needle with thread to allow the needle eye to clear the material pu ng before the stitch-setting operation; substantially as described.

v 8. A sewing machine including in combination, a needle, a loop-taker cooperating therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply, and means independent of the pulling-off means for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for'regulating the needle loop beneath the material.

9. A sewing machine, including in combination a needle, a loop taker cooperating therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply, automatic'mean's for controlling the amount of thread pulled from the supply. for varying thicknesses of material, means for pulling up the needle loops beneath the material, and means for automatically controlling said needle loop pulling means for varying thicknesses of material, said means for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for regulating the needle loop beneath the material being independent of the means for pulling thread from the supply; substantially'as described.

' 10. A sewing machineincluding in combination a needle, a loop taker cooperating therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply, automatic means for controlling the amount of thread pulled from the supply for varying thicknesses of material,

means for pulling up the needle loops be- .neath the material, means for automatically 'cotiperating therewith, means for'pulling thread from the supply, meansfor drawing up the needle loops close to the under sur face of the material, and independent means for finally setting-the stitch; substantially as described.

12. A sewing machine, including in com bination a needle, a loop taker coiiperating therewith, means forpulling thread from the supply, means for drawing up the needle loops beneath the material, automatic means for controlling said needle loop pulling means for varying thicknesses'ofmaterial, and independent means for finally setting the stitch; substantially as described.

13. A sewing machine including in combination a needle, a loop taker codpcrating therewith, means for pulling up the needle loops underneath the material, a thread clamp codperating therewith and independent means for finally setting the stiteh; substantially as described.

14:. A sewing machine including in combination' a needle, a loop taker, cooperating therewith, means for pulling up the needle loop beneath the material,- a thread clamp cotiperating therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply and independent,

means for finally setting the stitch; substantially as described.

15. A sewing machine including 1n combination a needle, a loop taker cooperating therewith, means for pullingup the needle loop beneath the material, automatic means for controlling said needle loop pulling means for varying thicknesses of material, a thread clamp coiiperating therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply and in- I dependent means for finally setting the stitch; substantially as described.

- 16. A sewing machine including in combination a needle, a loop taker coiiperating therewith, means for pulling up the needle loops beneath the material, a thread clamp cciiperating therewith, means for pulling the thread from the supply, automatic means for controlling thev amount of thread pulled from v the supply for varying thicknesses of mavfor pulling thread from the supply, automatic means for controlling the amount of thread pulled from the supply for varying thicknesses of material, and independent means for finally setting the stitch; substantially as described. v

18. A sewing machine'including in combination a needle, a loop taker cotiperating therewith, means for pulling thread from the supply, independent means for drawing up the needle loops beneath the material and I common means for automatically controlling the amount of thread pulled from the supply and the mechanism for pulling up the needle loops for varying thicknesses of material; substantially as described.

19. A sewing machine including in com bination a worksupport, .a presser foot ('30- operating therewith, a presser bar for supporting said presser foot, a needle and a loop taker coiiperating therewith, means for pulling up the needle loops beneath the material on the down stroke of the needle, means for pulling thread from the supply, and means operated from the presser bar for controlling the means for pulling up the needle loops beneath the material; substantially as described.

20. A sewing machine includingin com-r bination a work support," a presser fbot'co operating therewith, -a jpresser-bar for supporting said presser foot, a needleand a looptaker cooperating therewith, :means for pulling up the needle loops beneath the material on the downward movement of the. needle, means for pulling thread from the supply and means operated from the presser bar for controlling the amount -of thread pulledv from thesupply for varying thick--' nesses of material substantially as described;

21. A sewing machine, including in 'com bination a work support, a presser foot cooperating therewith, a presser'bar for supporting said presser foot, a needle and a loop taker coiiperating therewith,' ineans for.

pulling up the needle loops beneath the material, means operated from the presser bar for controlling the means ,for pulling u the needle loop for. varying thicknesses o material, a thread clamp cooperating therewith, and means for. pulling thread from th supply; substantially as described- 22. A sewing machine, including in combination a work support, apresse'r foot eooperating therewith, a presser bar for supporting said presser foot,a needle and a loop taker cobperating therewith, means for pulling up the needle loops beneath the material, a'thread clamp coiiperating therewith,

means for pulling thread from the supply,

and means operated from the presser bar for controlling said thread-pulling means forvarying thicknesses of material; substantially as described.

23. A sewing machine, including in .com-

bination a needle, a loop taker, mechanism for setting the stitch, and automatic means independentof the mechanism for setting the stitch for controlling the thread whereby said stitch-setting" mechanism will set the stitch after the eye of the needle leaves the material; substantially as-described.

- 24. Asewing machine, including in combination a needle, a loop taker, and means for pulling thread from the supply, comprising a movable thread-engaging finger, thread rolls cotiperating therewith, and automatic means for varying the position-of one of said rolls forvarying thicknessesof .the material; substantially as described.

25. Asewing machine,including in combination a needle, a loop taker, and means for pulling thread from the supply, com prising a movable thread-engaging finger, a

stationary thread roll, and amovable thread roll, and automatic means for varying the position of the movable thread roll for varying thicknesses of fabric; substantially asdescribed. Y

26. A sewing machine, including in combination a needle, a loop taker, and means for pulling" thread from the supply, comprising a movable thread fingeija stationary thread roll located at one sideof said thread .finger, and a .movable thread roll located at the otherside of said thread finger, and means for varying-the position of said movable thread roll for varying thicknesses of fabric; substantially as described.

27. A sewlng machine, including in combination'a work support, a presser foot, a

. presser bar carrying said presserfoot, and

varying the position; of one of said thread 'rolls from the movements of the presser bar means for pulling thread from the supply, comprising a movable thread finger, thread rolls cooperating therewith, and means for for. varyingthicknesses of-material; substantially as described. 28. A'sewing machine, 'includingin combination, .a work support, a presser foot,.a presser. bar carrylng said presser.fo0t, and

means for ,pulling thread from the supply, comprising a movable thread finger, a stationary thread roll located at one side of said finger, a movable thread roll, located at the other side of 'said thread finger, and.

means for connecting said movable thread roll to the presser bar; substantially as'l dc scribed. l

29. A sewing machine,including in combination awork. support, a needle, a needle lever for operating needle, and means for pulling thread from the supply, com

prising a thread-engaging arm securedto .said needle lever, and thread rolls cotiperating therewith; substantially as described.

30. A sewing machine including in combination, a work'suppora'a needle, a'needle lever for operatingfsaid needle, andmeans for pulling thread from, the supply, com- "prising a thread-engaging arm carried by said'needle lever, thread rolls cooperating with said thread arm, and means ,for varying the position'of one of saidthread rolls U for varying thicknesses of fabric; substantially as described.

'31. A sewing machine including in com bination, a WOI'ksupport, a needle, a needle lever for operating said needle, and means for pulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread arm carried by said needle lever, a stationarythread roll, and'a movable thread roll. .cotiperating with said thread arm, and means for varyingthe position of said movable thread roll for varying thicknesses of, fabric;',subs'tantially as described. i i

32." A sewing machineineluding in combination, a work support,'a presser foot, a

presser bar carrying said presser foot, a

needle, and a needle lever for operating the same, of means for-pulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread arm carried by said needle lever, thread rolls cooperating with said thread arm, and means connected tosaid presserbar for varying the position described.

of one of said threadrolls; substantially as described. V

' 33. A sewing machine including in com- -bination, a work support, .a ,presser foot, a

the movablethread roll; substantially as described.

34. A sewlng maclnne includ ng in comblnatlon, aneedl'e, means for operatlng said ,needle; a presser foot, a presser bar carrying said presser foot, and: a thread-pulling mechanism comprising a thread-engaging "arm, thread rolls cooperating therewith, a

rock lever connected with said presser bar, and a link connecting said rock lever with oneo'f said thread rolls, whereby the-positionof said thread roll may bevaried; 'substantially as described. 35. A sewing machine including in combination, a Work support, a presser foot, a

presser carrying said presser foot,- a

needle, and means for pulling thread from the supply, comprisinga thread. arm, means for moving the same, thread rolls cooperating with said thread arm, a rocklever,

- means for connecting one arm of said rock-.

lever as the presser bar, a link having right and left hand screwthreads for connecting said rock lever to one of said thread rolls,

whereby the position of said thread roll may bevaried ;-substantially as described.

36. A sewing machine including in combination, a worksupport, a'presser foot, a

presser. bar carrying said presser foot, a needle, and means for pulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread arm, means formoving said thread arm, thread rolls -co-,

operating with said thread arm, a rock shaft having one arm thereof in engagement with t-he.,upperv end of the presser bar and the other end of said rock shaft being connected to one of said thread rolls substantially as 37. A sewing machine including in combination, a Work-support, a presser foot, a

presser bar carrying said presser foot, a

needle, and means forpull1ng thread from the supply, comprisinga thread arm, means for moving. said thread arm, threadrolls cooperating with said thread arm, a rock shaft having one arm thereof in engagement with the upper end of the presser bar and the other end of said rock shaft being connected to one of said thread rolls, and a spring for retainingsaid rock shaft in contact with said presser bar; substantially as described.

38. A sewing machineincluding in combination, a work support, a presser foot, a presser bar carrying said presser foot, a needle, and means forpulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread arm, means for moving said thread arm, thread rolls cooperating with said thread arm, a rock shaft having one arm thereof in engagement with the upper end of the presser bar and the other end of said rook shaft being-connected to one of" said thread rolls, an army carried by saidrrock shaft, and a spring engaging said arm for holding the rockshaft in -engagement with the presser bar; substantially as described. 3

39. A'sewing machine including in combination, a Work support, an overhanging arm,

'a presser bar mounted in said overhanging arm, a presser footcarried thereby, a thread controlling mechanism comprising a threaden a in arm' means for movin said thread-engaging arm, a bracket carried bysaid overhanging arm, thread rolls cooper.

" ating with said thread arm and carried by said bracket, and means for connecting one of said thread rolls to the presser bar; substantially as described.

40-. A sewing machine including in combination, a work support, an overhanging arm, a presserlbar mounted in said over-- 1 hanging arm,.'a.presser foot carried thereby,

a thread-controlling mechanism comprising a thread engaging arm, means for moving said thread-engaging arm, a bracket carr ed by said'overhan-ging arm',thread rolls cooperating with said thread arm and carried by said bracket, a rock shaft carried by the I head of the ,inachine and engaging the presser bar, and a link for. connecting said rock shaft to ohe of said thread rolls; substantially as described.

41. A sewing mach'ne lncluding in combination, a Work-support, ,a presser foot, a

presser b'ar carrying said presser foot, a

needle, and meansfor pulling threadfrom' the supply, comprising a thread-controlling arm, a bracket carried by the head of the machine, a stationary thread roll carried by said bracket, a member pivoted to said bracket and carrying a thread roll, and

means connected with the presser bar for varying the position of the thread roll;

' substantially as described.

42. A sewing machine including in com i nation, a work support, a presser foot, a

presser bar carry ng said presser foot, a needle, andmeans forpulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread-engaging arm, abracket carried by the head of the machine, a yoke pivoted to said bracket, a

thread roll carried by said bracket and extending through a slot' in one member of said yoke, a thread roll carried by said yoke, and means for varying the position of the yoke" for varying thicknesses of fabric; substantially as described. v

. '43. sewing machine including in combination, a Work. support, a presser foot, a presser bar carrying, saidpresser foot, a needle,'and means for pulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread-engaging arm, a bracket carried by the head of the machine, a yoke pivoted, to said bracket, a thread roll carried bysaid bracket and extending through .a slot in one member of said yoke, a thread roll carried by said yoke, a rock lever carried by the head of the machine, and connected with the presser bar,

and -means for connecting said rocklever to said yoke; substantially as described.

4ft. A sewin machine including in combi nation, a wor support, a presser foot, a

presser bar carrying said presser foot, in

needle, and-means for pulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread-engaging arm, a bracket carried by the head of the machine, a yoke pivoted to said bracket, a thread roll carried by said bracket and extending through a slot in one member of said yoke, a thread roll carried by said yoke,

a rocklever-pivoted to the head of the machine and having one arm thereof in contact with the upper end of thepresse'r bar, and

a linkfor connectingjhe other arm of said rock lever to said yoke; substantiallyas described.

45. A sew ng machine including in combipresser bar carrying said presser foot, a needle, and meansfor pulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread-engaging arm, a bracket carried by the head of the machine,-a yoke pivoted-to said bracket, a

thread roll carried by said bracket and extending through a 'slot inone member of said yoke, athread roll carried by said yoke, a rock lever plvoted to the head of the mawith the upper end of the presser bar, and a link for "connecting the other arm of said rock lever to said yoke, and a spring for yieldingly holding the rock shaft in contact with the presser bar; substantially as-described.

46. 'Asewing machine including in combination, a work support, a presser foot, a

. presser bar carrying said presser foot, a needle, and means for pulling thread from the supply, comprising a thread-engaging arm,

a bracket carried by the head of the manation, a work support, a presser-foot, aa 7 ion chine and having one arm thereof in Contact bination,

, terial accordingto the thickness of the mav bination,

ing thesame,a thread-controlling arm for 47. A sewing machine includingin com bination, a needle, mean's for operating the needle, a thread clamp for the nee'dle'thread, meansfor adjusting the timeof operationof said thread clamp, and means operating upon the thread between said clamp and the needle for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for forming the needle loop beneath the material according to the thickness of the material.

48. A sewing machine. including in coma needle, a needle lever for operating the same, a thread clamp for the needle thread, means carried by the needle lever for operating saidthread clamp and means operating upon the thread between said:

clamp and the 1 needle for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for -forming the needle loop beneath the mate-- rialaccording tothe thickness of the ma-. terial; substantially as described,

49. A" sewing machine including in combination, a needle, a needle lever for operating the same, a thread clamp forthe needle thread, adjustable means carried by theneedle lever for. operating said thread clamp and means operating upon the thread betweensaid clamp and the needle for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for forming the needle loop beneath the material; substantially as described;

50. A sewing machine including in coma needle, a needle lever for operatvarying the amount of thread given to the needle fonforming the needle loop beneath the material according to the thickness of the material, a thread guide carried by said thread-controlling arm a thread-controlling arm for varying the amount of thread given to the needle for forming the'needle loop beneath the material according to the thickness of the material, a thread clamp, and a thread guide located clamp, and said .needleloop-controlling means; substantially as described.

1 sewing machine including in combination, a' work support, an. overhangingarm, aneedle,

a needle bar,v a needle lever for operating the same, athread roll carried byjthe head r. the machine adjacent said needle bar, a thread arm pivoted to the head of the machine and carrying a thread a thread guide carried by Ethe needle a lever and cooperating with said first named v --.,thread *neath. the material, 5 and means for pulling guide to position the needle loops be- .materlal, auxiliary means for ,between said thread guides and bination a Work support,

. scribed.

bination .a needle, needle lever, and located intermediate said and the supply; substantially as described. l c,

51. A sewing machine including in combination, a needle, a needle lever for operat-,- ing the same,

intermediate said thread succession, of the material for controllingthe amount 1 thread from the supply; substantially as described.

53. A sewing machine,-including in combination a work support, an overhanging arm, a needle, a needlebar, a needle lever for operating the same,a thread rol'hcarried by the head of the machine adjacent said nee dle bar, a thread arm pivoted to the head of the machine and carrying a thread guide, a thread guide carried by the needle. lever and cooperating with said first named thread guide to position the needle loops beneath the pulling thread and a. thread clamp located said auxiliary needle thread-pulling means; substantially as described. 54:- A sewing machine,

from the supply,

including in coman overhanging arm, tension disks carried by said overhanging arm, means for drawing thread through said tensiondisks, and automatic means for controlling the amount of thread drawn through said tension disks forvarying thicknesses of fabric, and-means for varying the amount of thread giv'en'to the needle for forming the needle loops beneath the mate-- rial according to' the thickness of the materia 55. A sewing machine, bination a needle, pulling thread from the supply, independent means for setting thestitch, and means for controlling the needle thread, so that the stitch is set after the needle is in such position that the eye thereof is above the material being stitched for all thicknesses ofmaterial operated upon; substantially as deincluding in comincluding in coma loop taker, automatic means ior pulling thread from the supply for varying thicknesses of material,.fco1n-" prising a movable threadengaging finger, thread rolls cooperating therewith, and means for varying the position of oneof 56. sewing machine,

a loop taker, means for said rolls for varying thicknesses of the material; substantially as described 57. A sewing machine, including incombination a needle, a loop taker, means for pulling thread from the supply for varying thicknesses of material beingjsti'tched, uponthe ascent-0f the needle, and auxiliary'means for pulling thread from the fsupply' -on the descent of the needle and-means forclamping the thread duringthe operation of the auxiliary described. j

58. A sewing machine, including acombination a needle, a loop taker, means for pulling thread fromsthe. supply, auxiliary means for 'pulling thread-from the supply, said means for pullingi thread. operating in means operated-shy the thickness pulling means; substantially as needle,a loop taker, means to pull thread- I from the supply as-the ne'edle bar' ascends, automatic means for pulling off an additional amount .of thread, accordinglto the thickness of, the material and giving-theof thread drawn from the supply; substantially as described.

59. In a sewing machine, a needle and'a thread-carrying looper cooperating with .4 same up to the needle during the upward movement thereof, and automatic means 'controlledby the thickness of the material:

for equalizing the amountof slack-thread given to the needlev for successive stitches.-

. loop taker means to control the-supply of 2-5 thread as the thickness of thtbfiibl'ldlllldfiflq 61. In a sewing machine, a needleanda the presser foot varies, automatic means-to pull ofit' from the supply-threadneeded as I needle, whereby the stitch may be-set as" .the point of the needle emerges from the the thickness 'of'the materi'alto-be sewed varies-and to give up said thread to theneedle on the upward movement of the materialon the upstroke of the. needlebar; substantiallyas described.

62. In a sewing machine, a-.needle, a needle bar, meansfor pulling-loft thread as the needle bar ascends, automatic means for regulating the amountiof thread pulled off,

. automaticmeans forv pulling an additional amount of thread from'the supply, and givingthe. same to the needle on the upward movement of the needle, 'andautomatic means controlled by the thickness of the material for equalizing the amount of slack thread given to the needle for successive.

stitches.

63. In a sewing machine,-a needle, aloop 5 taker, a pull-off device, means for operating; the pull-off device, said pull-cit device operating to draw a suflicient quantity of'threadfrom the supply and to, give slack thread to the needle until theeye of the needle upon its upward strokeis above the material being sewed, before the stitch-setting 0pera-. 'tion begins, and means for setting thestitch.

64c. In a sewing machine, aneedle bar and its needle, a constant tension, dew1ce,- and automatic means to draw ofi thread from the supply. as the thickness of the material a to besewed varies, automatic means to clamp the-thread during the formation of each stitch, and means operatingindependently of the drawing off means for regulating the .amountof; needle thread supplied in the formation of the stitch as the thickness of the material to be sewed-varies; substantially as described. a f a 65, In a sewing machine, a needle bar and its needle, aconstant tension device, and automatic means to draw ofi' 'thread fromv the supply as the thickness of the material I i to besewed varies, automatic means to clamp the thread during the formation of each stitch, andmeans to regulate, the amount of needlethread supplied in-the formation of the stitchias the thickness of the material to b 4 be sewed varies, said clamping means being released to allow free movement .of "the thread from the supply as the needle bar reaches the-top of-its stroke; substantially as described.-- y

66;: A- sewing machine including in com---' bination1a=needle a loop taker cooperating therewith, means for drawingthread from the-supply on the downstroke of the needle, and, independent means for varying the sypply pf slaek thread given to the needle as thewthickn'ssf of the. material varies land during the upward movement of the needle,

67L A sewing machine including Tin com therewith, positively varying the. amofint ,b

gperated devices for --;nee.dle thread given up to-theneedl'e onthe down stroke of the needle'iin accordance with the thickness of the material operated upon in order to proi 'vide said. needle with sufficient thread,

whereby itmay move to the lower end of its stroke without cutting the same,and independent and positively operated devices 9 bination, a needle; a loop taker cooperatingfor supplying avarying amount of thread tQzth6 needle on the upward stroke thereof inaccordance with the thickness of the material-operated upon, whereby the eye of the needleis clear. of the material before the needle thread is drawn on to set the stitch,"

and means operating upon said needle -thread to set the stitch. a In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

RUSSEL G. WOODWABD. -Witnesses,:- .MGNEIL, 

